What a ruse
A tall tale
Can't believe I fell for all the Spurious claims
I will live to tell
What made my eyes to well
What left me heart aching

You.. you bare the blame
Arsonist...
The bearer of the flame
With a frozen heart

What's the true measure of love
Some men think it's inches
I have heard women sing how tight their love is
Mothers say there is no measure
Look at the size of diamond, the rich argue
Who knows !

I had a date last night
It was perfect
Tomorrow, I'll try a grape

I love you, I hate you
I love you, I hate you
I want you, I need you
You're my joy
My misery when you step away
I experience all kind of emotions with you
A rollercoaster, a thriller
My Ying
Oh yes my Yang
You compliment me
No doubt you complete me
With you am whole

Like a trickling tap
That needs urgent attention
But it's the middle of night
Its freezing , but the sound won't go
Such is the urge to write the next poem
Fingers itch
To write the words that bewitch
Cast a spell
Give them words they can't spell
Where do the words come from
Deep inside they form
Once I get in the zone, am bound
It takes a while to unbound
I dunno how long I have had it
It comes to me like a fit
All I want then, is raise my feet
Let creativity take control
Give them something to troll
I watch as their mouth foams
The hate comes in different forms

Life is a caterpillar  turning into a butterfly
Life is the sound of child's laughter
Life is the look in thankful eyes
Life is the silence of war guns
Life is the cry of new born baby
Life is redemption of an addict
Life is the smile of the bride
Life is the colours of spring
Life is Parent's Not burying Children

I wanted to swipe right
But guilt tagged my conscience
Was it too soon
Too soon to get someone who reminded me of you
Same everything

What if she swiped left
My heart will be stark
Dry and flammable
Bereft of any emotion

Little did she know
She believed I was not watching
My face was turned the other way
She kept giving him the cookie
Little did she know I had a lazy eye

She looked lovingly into his young eyes
It was a fluttering infatuation
She had forgotten this old feeling
Her heart flickered like an old lamp
That is what years of  loneliness  does to one

She had finally found strength to go out again
That's when she met the young man
He held her hand and wiped her eyes
He was godsend
He told her stories and they walked in park together
They grew close,
A bond was forming
In his company, food tasted better
She started swaying to music again
Their chats and walks were healing her
But she still had moments when fear gripped her

She kept reminding him
Her heart was an old piano
Broken and unused
She requested he be gentle with it
It needed mending
Tears welled from her eyes often
The youngin always wrapped her in his arms
'I got you', he would whisper tenderly

She was in troubled waters
She could not keep her head up
She fought
She was in despair
She asked if I could be her bridge
She cried, she begged
Yes, I said
I will be her bridge over the troubled waters
I will save her
Save her from the abusive relationship
Save her from emotional turmoil
But I always knew she'll walk off
Once she feels safe
No one stays on the bridge
I still did it.
I chose to be her bridge
I let her use me

It was yesterday when we joked
Laughed at our problems
Spoke openly about what we lacked
How money would help
Help us gain regard
Respect, even affection

Today you're gone
You lie horizontal on a cold chalk
I try to something , something is stuck in my throat
Confused ,angry and alone
I have no one

A drunk driver's actions
Left you sprawled
Brains splattered
I scream , I rage
My friend is gone.

It seduces your heart
It drains your pocket
Clouds your judgement
Leaves you with a mighty headache

Tell me Baba
Tell me about the Nakba
I see the Women Wailing and in Angst
Bitterness and Sorrow Unending
Tell me about the Nakba

Who did What and Why
Tell me about the Nakba
The ground remains thirsty
Thirsty for blood of our youth
How much more do we have to endure
Tell me about the Nakba

I see Keys, everyone is holding a Key
Tell me about Nakba
Baba, where are all the doors, the homes
Show me Deir Yassin, Show me my Village
Why is everyone quiet , say something
Tell me about the Nakba

Henry gazed deep into Lizzie's eyes
As he held her hands
She waited expectedly
"You're my forever girl"
"You promise?" She asked sincerely
"Please don't make me lie twice" he quietly whispered in his heart

"Of course" he replied in a reassuring tone.

The little girl looked at her mom
She wrapped her little arms around her
She seemed unwell constantly
Always going to hospital
Her mom tried to stay calm but tears rolled freely

The little girl's dad was in a foreign country
He's been gone for many a year now
He always rang and checked on them
But the girl's mom was her world
Now she was stricken

Her Dad was in a dilemma
Whether to come back and look after his family
Or stay and make money they desperately needed
Money they needed for his wife's treatment

The little girl always said a sincere prayer
A simple request to God
That her mom be well again
Her parents joined her quietly
With solemn hearts
They also hoped for a miracle
Just for little girl's sake
May she enjoy her mom's company a little longer
May be a lot longer
Because at moment, it felt like the walls are closing in

Am far too gone
Irretrievably gone
I know it's been a week
Since you asked to leave
Now, you want to come back
That's lot of water under the bridge now

You ask
"Am I that easy to forget"
I wish I could say that
Moving on quickly was my only option
My sanity you see
I needed to clear my head quick
Else I will lose me

Anyways .... how're you
It's been a week 😪

The year is 1993
I heard Eric Donaldson " traffic jam"
I was hooked

1996 .. My first collection
King Lion Sounds
Bob Marley anniversary
I was Sold

Then I discovered
Buju Banton, Alton Allis
Lila Ike, Sister Nancy
Everything

Gimme Ska , Mento ,
Reggea ,! Ragga
How what a feeling!
Religious experience!

Wigs
I hate them,
Oh boy! I loathe 'em

Don't start me on lifts
What lie
A cheap lie

You see, she got herself brand new twins
The ol' ones had deflated
These ones are real *******
What an illusion

Forget the hardware
I care about the software
Who you are on the  inside
That's who I wanna see

🐈 Cats
Oh boy you got love 'em
Them majestic beasts
They don't have owners
They have servants

Loyalty, that's dog's ****
It's over rated
Them cats know better
They're their own masters

They scratch you 'til you love 'em
How can you not love the purring
Rub them right you might see tail wiggle
But don't get too excite  
Breaking hearts is what they do

Last night I used my tool
I left you in a pool
You flooded like the nile
Coz I hit it in style
You moaned and some more
I kept hitting the core
Leaving you reeling
Reeling in unforgettable feeling
Ecstasy and fantasy rolled into 1
You kept at it,but you lost
Because from pillar to post
You fought... you lost !

Oh ye !
What have you done today
Did you till , or sleep all day
Now you seek bread
Laughable

Aye ! I want bread
I hunger
Last night I did not shut my eye
My tummy grumbled without end.
I need bread

Sorry, I got nuthin' to offer
I told you 'ere
You got to earn your bread
Look at you now
What a sad sight

Me
Troubled
The unread book
A man of many faces
Quiet.Loud
Extrovert.Shutted
Sinful.
Spiritual.
Overall a soul seeking self
A man on a journey
A man with troubled past
A man with expectations
A man who wants control
To control his own mind
His demons to bind
A man who seeks internal peace
To settle the troubled spirit
Find a way to do what's good
Good by himself and those he loves
He goes to bed tonight with hopes
That tomorrow brings better tidings
Soon he'll be smiling
Looking back how the day was
Wondering why he ever had a fuss.

She's a gem
A real sparkler
She has me falling in love
Falling Hard
They say only fools rush in
I confess, I Am fool in love
And am rushing in
Guess what, am gonna keep her
Treat her right
And maybe she'll give me a baby
Or two
Yeah ! Com'on baby girl
Let's do this 😉

Did I mention I hate democracy
I do.
I have bled in the elections
Hemorrhaging uncontrollably
Lost left, lost right
Oh these wild dogs
They came in packs

I won't acknowledge the winner
The game was skewed in their favor
I appealed, to court I turned
They swatted me away
My case had no merit, they stated
I remain here pained

My supporters wail about the injustice
This is one too many
When will morning come
The night is long
And am a poor loser , A sore loser

With dark eyes, you stare at me
They pierce the soul
I can tell, you are raging inside
Because other day I did you *****
Your trust I betrayed
Now you can't find words
You avoid conversation
This kills me, in ways unimaginable
Say something
Don't just sit there,say something
Come let's fight, I beg

****** the mind
The body will follow
Convince
Don't confuse
And In your love they shall wallow

Democracy, you scoundrel
You led me a stray
You told me vote
What a powerful statement
Minority have their say
The majority have their way
Lie
He who casts the vote matters not
He counts the votes matters a lot
Despair , anger , loathing
Stolen, my voice has been silenced
What now !
I pain

Got a minute
Come sit with me awhile
Oh comely girl
Grace me with your company
Don't leave just yet
From your fountain
Let me wet my whistle

The Palestinian boy looks over yonder in pain and simmering anger
Over the hills a soldier watches his every move
While protecting a land grabber, a "returning owner"
Where does his deliverance come from
PLO ? UN ? HAMAS ? ARAB NATIONS
They can care less
What happened to freedom he ponders
He lost his childhood friend to a ******'s bullet
Like Abel's blood was spilled by his kin
Ishmael's progeny have stained the ground with their blood
Wailing goes on unceasing
The value of a Life has never been so little
Dispensable, easily done away with
But Jannah awaits and Unto his hands, my spirit I commit
The boy mutters silently as he makes his way to another funeral.

She touched me with a Lover's stroke
I gasped for air, my heart raced
Electricity down my spine
She looked deep into my eyes
As she dropped her last clothes
Waves of longing hit me
It was swim or sink

Everything ached and pained
She labored on mundane tasks
The sickness took her to dark space
Friends and family gave support
But she had to do this by herself

Why me she wondered
It all seemed to be one bad dream
Life begins at 40 they said
Her world was crumbling around her
More questions fewer answers

She craved answers
She wanted to be whole
Nothing seemed to work right
She crawled into her bed and prayed
She needed to be there for her girl
Her daughter meant the world to her
She will beat this

Do it for the Foes and Hoes
They're watching
Hopin' you slip
Give'em a slip
Leave them running their lip
Oh keep them on their toes
Foes and Hoes

The boy watched them lower his mum' s wooden box
He was just 11 at the time
Family crowded around him
He did not take any notice of them
He was numb

Everything else around his lost meaning
The world was without colour
He tried to make sense of it all
No success

Back home ,  he went to his room
Curtains drawn, massive headphones
He listened to stories online
Stories on Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus
Right then he became a convert
A Stoic.

Now he understands,
Mum did not die, she Returned !
Do he promised himself never to be attached again !
That's when he received Salvation
He was free

Undisturbed emotionally
Dispassionate
Equanimity
Sober, clear minded
Acknowledge emotion
Stay clear of passions
Be Stoic.

Perfect , just a perfect evening
Lovely company, quiet music
Sumptuous meal
Captivating conversation
Everything else seems a world away
He was a man of her dreams
Right everything!

Then it was time to leave
She just needed to go to bathroom
A quick dash before they head off
Only to come back and find him gone
With a note left behind saying sorry
It was all a mistake
He was married and needed to go
She sat down for a minute
It was all a blur !
A nightmare.

She doesn't want to go home
She's happy to face the dawn
Walk of Shame and the whole shindig
She wants to stay with me tonight
She's a big girl now.
She wanna chill with the big boy.

She lay awake beside him
Thoughts swirling her mind
The guilt, was consuming her very soul
She had slipped to deepest depths of shame
How does one recover from this

He slept soundly beside her
A hint of great satisfaction etched of his face
He had dreamed of this night a long time
He had preyed on her weakness
Without mercy exploited her generosity
Using charm, he exposed her vulnerability

Now what next,
She had bared her body and soul
Given everything
Now, she lay there without a thing in return
She could not keep him for herself
He isn't hers now, never was
Moments with Married man,
Are just a fool's gold.

Don't look for too long
It will make your heart long
And that would be wrong
Because to one do I belong

You can't keep me for yourself
I am a journeyman  
Am different things to different people
A breeze to some, a tornado to another
Don't try to contain me.
Am No one's.

Everyone got a voice and a choice
It all sounds so nice
Lies, Lies. All Lies
You've got neither
But you know no better
Wallowing in your ignorance
As they say, ignorance is bliss

Time to face up, Man/Woman up
These are terms and conditions
You've got no wriggle
Just sign the bottom of the page
And admit that they control you
After all the own you
You've got no voice or choice.

Even she be a strong-willed woman
But from time to time
Her heart longs for a man
To be with and cherish, because
Life is too far to walk alone

Every now and then
At night she tosses and turns
She seem not to get any to sleep
Unending loneliness is Her biggest fear
Life is too far to walk alone

Memories of a time gone by
When she had someone she called her own
Haunt Her soul without letting
The what ifs and maybes echo in her mind
These dark clouds do not seem to lift
Yet she's got to journey on even though
Life is too far to walk alone

Yesterday I went to our old pub
The one we used to sit by the window
I had my usual
Saw the same old faces
They played the the same music
Everything was familiar
But one thing was missing...You
You were not next to me
That's when I realised
Am slightly hung over you.

Yesterday, Liz took her dog to the park
That's when saw her old password
She ruefully smiled
How time flies
She thought she'll have residual feelings
Not anymore,
He was just another face
She glanced over and kept on walking
He was now just a footnote in her life
An appendix and nothing more



...

I miss her , Oh God I do
Oh I miss her to the bone
She is my blood
My untold joy
Almighty keep her
Keep her 'til I see her

I've been away, many a mile
And it has been for a while
Since I saw her smile
Heavens know the bile
The misery heaped in pile
Hopefully this will end in a short while
Then I will see her smile
My daughter's smile

My irresistible allure pulls you in,
Like a moth to flame,
You have a snowball chance in hell to resist,
I disarmed you from the first hello,
Weakened in the knees,
You can't walk away from me if you wanted.

Despite knowing there'll  be a hell to pay,
I play a Russian roulette with your emotions,
Every red flag you see, I tell you it's a carnival season,
With charming words and honey laced lips,
I leave you in peril and confusion,
Why must it be this way,
You can't tell me go , you can't tell me stay.

While to many, life is a gift
Others yearn for the liberation of death
Many wish for life partner
Loads are trapped in loveless unions
While a 7 course meal seems appropriate to some
In a street Corner man eats out of a trash bin
Life is a mystery

Like a fish in a bowl, many are confined by their religion
Yet others choose to swim in the open sea of spirituality
A man celebrates his academic achievements
Life teachings guide the next man, streetwise
Some pay a fortune to listen to an opera singer
A young girl sits at a Park listening to the birds chirping
Life is a mystery.

Storms of emotional turmoil rocked her heart
She liked him from the outset,
When she started to know him
It seemed like blissful adventure at first
That trip that promised a lot
Suddenly it became a rollercoaster
Twists and turns, ups and downs
She seemed lost in all of it
Amazingly , he seemed calm
He was calm
How  could he manage this
He was driving this ship like a maniac
Taking random turns
Which was driving her mad 😠 😡
She asked to see the map,
Where are they headed , she queried
Where the wind takes us, he answered casually
She started to wrestle with her emotions
She was willing to abandon this trip
She needed her life back
Its no time for silly adventures
The time and place for that had gone
What she wanted is a plan and structure
Stability and Control
This ..whatever this is
Offered none , she felt
He looked at her with understanding
He was cut from a different cloth
He came from a different universe
He chose to look at life differently
Circumstances don't make him
They revealed who he is
He welcomed her to stay the course
But did not it insist
May be the great connection , wasn't a connection after all
It was just but a passing infatuation
A spark that threatened to start a inferno
But soon extinguished without a whiff of smoke
What a shame, all is left  is sense of wonder
Unfulfilled desire, unrealised wish
But then, Such is life.

It goes on and on, no end seems in sight.
It is peaceful. It's lonely.
There will be no river to cross.
Oh yes, no bridges to burn.Lovely.
No one has gone fore. Uncharted.
Time to leave a trail.
Let them who follow hail your bravery.
The road winds, lot of twists and turns.
There will be no one to offer a sip of water.
There will be no place to lay your head.
You will have to enjoy your own company.
Thoughts will fill your mind.
Whatever you do, don't lose your mind.
Keep going, soon you will find your destiny.
Yes, you don't seem to know where it is.
All you know is, what you need to find.
Enjoy the scenery along the way.
Listen to birds sing, stop watch the sunset.
A distract from the perils of your travels. Finally when get to see what your heart searcheth
Behold your journey will end
Everything will make sense
Trod on, may your heart not fail

Formidable
Yet unassuming
Impressive
Though Stealthy
Leaves you in awe
Yet makes no claim
His reputation precedes him
Still he blows you away
His presence lingers on long after his gone
His quiet words echo without end
Friends and foes acknowledge
Few ever attain this level of Badassery.

She went " deeper"
I responded "tighter"
Long pause
Then Nuthin'.

Am too forward you say
I don't know how to act
I say the wrong things
There was a time I was fidgety
Awkward and restless about self expression
Then I was not
I bear them openly and proudly
I say what I want to do to you
Without shame or hesitation
I ask if I can help you out of your clothes

You're a rascal, you scream
Uncultured swine, you call me
I smile, nothing bothers me
I trod on, stumbling and staggering
You've made me drunk in love
Now I dunno how to act
For you I have these ***** feelings
I promise they're honest feelings
Just Unwashed.